Cummings Says Missile Is Only Getting Started

Anthony Cummings says things are just getting started for Smart Missile as the colt prepares for his next race in the Golden Rose in a fortnights time.

In what is an ominous warning for his rivals Cummings believes he is going to get even better before the Golden Rose and it will only continue from there.

Smart Missile is coming off a first up victory considered by many to be the best run they’ve seen all year and it even had jockey Glen Boss claiming he could be the greatest horse he’s ever ridden excluding Makybe Diva.

Cumming’s says that the best is still to come for the three year old and it may not be until three or four runs into the campaign that we see his very best.

“He had a little bit of work to do this morning and it looks like he’s taken good improvement from that run on Saturday,” he said.

“He’s more switched on, seemed to be doing his times very very comfortably.”

While the signs may appear good at the moment for Smart Missile, it’s worth remembering he is coming into uncharted waters.

“This’ll be his first prep where he has more than one run, it’s difficult process for him,” Cummings said.

His main challenges for the Golden Rose are expected to come once again from Foxwedge and the likely improved Helmet.

Cumming’s isn’t waiting that long for his next runner though with a good group of horses running at Warwick Farm this Saturday.

His main horse will be Strike The Stars in the Chelmsford Stakes, however the trainer believes the switch to Warwick Farm will be another query on a race which just doesn’t quite fit.

“In many respects it’s the wrong race but preparing him now the mile is what he’s looking for,” he said.

“The seven furlongs (1400m) was going to be tough for him, he doesn’t have much early gate speed so he’d just get outsprinted.

“At a mile he can race a little bit more prominently, he’ll gain more out of that and it’ll be better for him going into the Champion Stakes.”

Cummings says given he’s only had the four career stars this race is more about experience than fighting for a win, however he does come in extremely well on the weights with 50.5kg, a full 6kg less than any other horse.

“He does still have a lot to learn, he’ll be able to get on the bit and travel and be amongst some horses,” he said.